Fatah and Hamas signed an historic reconciliation agreement yesterday, ending
four years of division between the two main Palestinian factions.

The unity pact was hailed by Mahmoud Abbas as a vital stepping stone towards a
nation state recognised by the international community. The President of the
Palestinian Authority travelled to Cairo to sign the pact with the Hamas
leader Khaled Meshaal. Many Palestinians viewed the violent split in 2007 as
the biggest setback to their aspirations of statehood since the Israeli
occupation in 1967.

“We announce to Palestinians that we turn forever the black page of division,”
Mr Abbas said.